The Cal-look Lounge

To most people, the 1932 Ford Roadster is the quintessential hot rod. As I am both into cal look VWs and traditional rods and kustoms as well, I often observe similarities between those two "worlds". I think that a traditional Cal Look bug has several aspects in common with a '32 Ford. For example, when it comes to building one of them in traditional style, you really have to find your own path between tradition and your own ideas and personal taste. There are many attempts (some successful, many not) to build that perfect car. There are lots of cal look bugs that really capture "the look". May it be the combination of stance, details, selection of parts and performance or whatever. Same for the '32 Deuce. Lots of them were built during the last six or seven decades. And it keeps getting harder to build a car that really stands out from the crowd (or from the cars already built) but still captures the traditional spirit. This is why I like those cars so much, both of them. You have to get deeply involved, learn from the past, use your own imagination and you'll build something unique that respects the tradition. It's all about attention to details and a constant strive for perfection. Well, just some thoughts on a snowy friday. :)

a perfect example:
(http://static2.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0006/3162/files/6.jpg)

More photos on http://www.verntardel.com/blogs/tardel-built-hot-rods (http://www.verntardel.com/blogs/tardel-built-hot-rods)

That’s a very good comparison I think, and what you say about knowing the history and mixing some own touches is what its all about to me.
You can copy all the "real" details in the world, and it would still not feel "real". These are the "rules" of the game I play... and to many others I guess!

This is so good thinking that I feel "off topic" is almost wrong.

But what is this about SNOW???

It's not snowing here but some cool thoughts for a Friday all the same. I think this is totally on topic, the philosophy is almost identical.

 8)

well, i guess that is true, although i don't know anything about those ford's. but i like the simple yet tastefull approach. you can see there is dedication in this car.

and yes it is a mix of tradition and own inspiration, just dont go overboard with the 'own idea', no need to reinvent the hot water.

this is a nice thought for a friday that is very cold, freezing blue skys. maybe a good day to race as well... mmm...

I love early hot rods too. One of the biggest parallels between Cal-look and traditional hot rods to me has always been the simplicity of the cars. Minimalism at its best. If it doesn't help the car go faster, take it off.

--louis

and they have rake too  ;D ;D

I most agree with JHU on this one, I also like to play the "game" with those set of rules   8)

I think your right on the money Luftkraft, this shouldn`t be off topic

Im very much into traditional hot rods and kustoms, too. I do love the duece, but what really catches my fancy is a '29 roadster on pinched deuce rails with an A crossmember, dropped deuce grille, deuce tank, cycle fenders front, bobbed fenders rear, Auburn dash, 3/8" x 3/8" flathead with three 97's, and a t56 six speed ;D. Painted something along the lines of a Jalapeño green on wide 5 Ford wheels, 16x4 and 16x6, with black wall bias plys of course.
I gotta get me a hot rod!!! ;D

If you think bugs are expensive, wait till you start pricing hot rod parts.  :P Fortunately, As are still fairly inexpensive compared to 32-34s. Anyone remember the t buckets kits they made to use VW parts?

--louis

This sounds like a great project!  8) btw, do you know the book "how to build a traditional Ford Hot Rod"?

Model A's are way to go, they're still around at a reasonable price. I don't talk about traditional hot rod parts, though... And a Deuce is almost out of reach nowadays, unless you go for a "kit car" ;)

I'd love to build an A V8 on deuce rails... late 40s, early 50s style. Kelsey Hayes wire wheels or steelies, french flathead, stromberg 97s, no fenders, halibrand quick change rear....

I cant remember for sure, but a brand new 28-29 roadster STEEL body from Brookville is around $5,000. Not expensive at all.

As some of you know, I do auto upholstery. My boss picked up the trade from his dad, who started doing it in southern California in the 1930's. I put together a photo album of his dad's work that he did in the late '40s to early '50s. Sooooooooo many hot rods. Lots of 28-29's on deuce rails. A severly channeled 30-31 roadster (the sterring wheel touches the seat!!!). Quite a few duece roadsters, too. There is probably over 100 pictures, and almost every single car is modified in some way. Real Hot Rods.
My boss found some old daily planners (work schedule) that his dad had back in the early '50's the other day..... full set of seat covers (front and rear), labor and materials- $38.

I'd love to see those pics!! You don't have any scans of them, I guess?  :o  ;)




here's one cool period picture I found some time ago...

I dont have a scanner.... but Ill see what I can do. Im know you guys would love them!!

If I was going to do a Brooksville body it would be the 32 pickup roadster. Deuce rails & grill, dropped and drilled I beam, blown flathead, quick change rear, Halibrand Kidney bean wheels. Paint it black and nickel plate all the shiny stuff.

--louis

personally, I'm not sure if I'd go for a roadster or a coupe body. I like the simplicity of the roadster, it's the more original hot rod, as in the early years they mostly used roadsters for dry lakes racing. the coupe, on the other hand, looks more sinister. and it better suits the weather around here in Switzerland  :)

here's a nice 1929 roadster on deuce rails, the body came from a car that ran El Mirage in the late 40s, ran Bonneville after 1954, and then became a drag car in the 60s. (there's a feature on this car in the latest Rod & Kulture magazine)

Nice. Love those 28-29 cowls!!  ;D

maybe I just found the channelled version of "your" hot rod  :)

That looks like an east coast style rod.

--louis

I prefer west coast style, but this one looks great!

Its not a bad looking car, but I like them on duece rails, not channeled!

Great topic, luftkraft! I was a ford kid long before I was a vw guy and my dad has always loved fords as well. I would love to build a simple and reliable traditional hot rod some day. Highboy roadster, flathead all that good stuff!!

Oh, and that first picture you posted...beauty!!

Not expensive, but still like building a kit car??


The wifes A :)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d725b3127ccebaf016d8925b00000026108QYs2zhyyZ-)

Nice! Tell us more about that Cadillac motor

It's a '59 390ci with the auto box out of the same car. Not sure but i think it's stock internals with an edmunds manifold and twin carbs. The pipes look like straight thru but they are silenced, well a little bit!! They may well get pipes added to take the fumes away from the window. It's going to get fenders :( , Jo likes to drive it and I don't want her to keep getting pulled over all the time for open wheels. Apart from that i think we'll match the wheels up but can't decide on wires or solids at the moment. Got some guide headlights to fit and sort the wiring a bit. Put an ali floor in the boot, it's wood at the moment. Got some 38 truck gauges to go with the grill so the dash may get changed a bit as well. Then i can start playing with putting the airride kit on my buick  ;D

wow, that's a beautiful coupe! I like the caddy engine a lot, too. Btw. what kind of Buick have you got?

Thank you!!
The Buick is a '60 Skylark. Nothing too special, it's only a 215ci. Got a different front bumper to go on, take all the badges off, fit the airride and do something with the paint ;)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dc25b3127cce811ad40f152c00000016108QYs2zhyyZ-)

nice! ah.. I have a vision... a set of Astro supremes... some skinny whitewalls.. metalflake paint.. bellflower tips... yeah 60s kustoms rule.  8)